DE102016110820A1 - Rendezvous picking with locally variable picking station - Google Patents

Abstract

It discloses a storage and order-picking system (10) which, according to a rendezvous picking principle, in which goods to be picked at locally variable picking stations (22) according to customer orders from source containers (18) are removed and delivered to target containers (20), and a plurality of vehicles (16) for transporting the source containers (18) and the destination containers (20) within the system (10); a storage area (12) where a plurality of the source containers (18), preferably on shelves (34, 36), are stored; an action area (14) in which the vehicles (16) move, preferably autonomously; a locally variable order picking station (22) having a variable relative position (P) within the action area (14), which changes over time depending on customer orders repeatedly, and at which a rendezvous picking by a picking person (24) and / or a picking robot (26) is performed; and a control device (30), which is set up for the rendezvous picking by the relative position (P) and associated transport orders for the vehicles (16) optimized by the controller are determined, the transport orders for the vehicles (16) a temporally and locally synchronized coincidence of a customer order specific number of source containers (18) and a customer order specific number of destination containers (20) at the variable picking station (22) define.

Description

The present invention relates to a storage and picking system and a method of operating the same, which are set up for performing a rendezvous picking. Rendezvous picking is characterized by the fact that both the material flow technology sources and the material flow technology sinks, which are implemented by picking stations or picking workstations, are movable within the overall system. These variable or mobile picking stations represent an additional degree of freedom in the planning of picking and during the operation of the system.

In the prior art, essentially two order-picking principles are known, namely the goods-to-man principle (WzM principle) and the man-to-goods principle (MzW principle).

In the MzW principle, the (mobile) order pickers move through a warehouse to remove (stationary) items directly from the (stationary) storage locations and deliver them to destinations that the order picker carries with them. There are z. As solutions known in which the picker mitfährt on a stacker crane to remove items from pallets, which are stored in shelves of a high-bay warehouse, and dispenses the removed items on a pallet, which is carried on the stacker crane and later shipped to the customer becomes.

In the WzM principle, the articles are moved, whereas the order pickers are stationary. The TMM principle has many characteristics. In a very simple form, the (commissioning) sources, such. B. storage containers, stationary stationary conveyor, such as. As belt or roller conveyor, transported to stationary picking stations, where the order picker is to take items and in target containers such. B. order container to submit, which can also be transported via stationary continuous conveyor to the picking station.

Currently, the stationary continuous conveyors are increasingly being replaced by driverless transport systems, which have autonomously moving vehicles. The vehicles get z. B. storage containers from storage areas and drive the storage containers to picking stations whose position is fixed or stationary within the overall system. In order to eliminate storage / retrieval operations of storage containers, there are already approaches to transport small portable shelves with the vehicles directly from the storage areas, without relocation of the articles from the shelves on the vehicles to the stationary order picking, as z. B. in the WO 2007/011814 A2 the company Kiva is disclosed.

A problem of these approaches is that transport routes are relatively long and that (order) lead times are great. Another problem is the fact that a number of order picking can not be flexibly adapted to a load on the system. In times of low utilization some picking stations are orphaned, d. H. remain vacant, whereas at times of peak orders (eg during the Christmas period in e-commerce) actually more picking stations are needed, as actually exist.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage and order picking system and a method of operating the same, which combine the advantages of the TMM principle and the MZW principle or eliminate their disadvantages. In particular, a picking performance (picks / hour) is to be improved. Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to respond flexibly to fluctuating workloads.

This task is solved by a storage and picking system, which is operated according to a rendezvous picking principle. In the rendezvous picking principle, goods to be picked are taken from source containers at locally variable order picking locations in accordance with customer orders and delivered to target containers. The corresponding system comprises: a plurality of vehicles, in particular autonomously movable vehicles, such. As AGV ("Automated Guided Vehicles"), "Weasel" (Trademark, shuttle of the applicant) or mini-stacker cranes (see DE 10 2013 106 640 A1 ). The vehicles are used to transport the source container and destination container, the term container is not to be understood as limiting. It can also pallets, trays, boxes and the like are transported. Furthermore, the system has a storage area and an action area. In the storage area, the source containers are stored, preferably on shelves. The source containers can be item-specific or compartmentalized-article-pure equipped. In the action area, the vehicles preferably move autonomously. In addition, the system has at least one locally variable picking station, which has a variable relative position within the action area, which changes over time as a function of customer orders, and on which a rendezvous picking is performed by a picking person and / or by a picking robot. Rendezvous picking is customer-oriented. In rendezvous picking, articles are taken from source containers and delivered to destination containers, specifically a variable location, the rendezvous location where source and destination containers meet. Furthermore, the system has a control device, such. As a warehouse management computer (LVR), a material flow computer (MFR), a computer for planning a navigation and routes of the vehicles, order management and / or the like, which is set up for the rendezvous picking by the relative position of the variable picking and associated transport orders for the vehicles can be optimized determined, generated and communicated by the control device. The transport orders for the vehicles are defined by a temporally and locally synchronized coincidence of a customer order-specific number of source containers and a customer order-specific number of destination containers at the variable order-picking station.

The invention is characterized by its locally variable order picking. Not only the source and target containers are moved, but also the picking stations. The variable picking stations can also move to the source and destination containers. The conceptually "mobile" picking stations meet with the moving source and target containers, so that a "rendezvous" comes. This shortens travel times and order times. The system can successfully process more orders within the same time. The dynamics of the system is increased, because in addition to the source and target container and the commuters move, was only for a single pick, d. H. the removal and delivery of a single article.

The system is able to react flexibly to a fluctuating load. Picking stations can be added or removed at any time by sending more or fewer pickers (article converters) into the system. Conveyor technically complex connected stationary (picking) workstations with complex routing omitted. For the operator of the storage and order-picking system of the invention, the investment and maintenance costs are reduced. The operator may add vehicles to the system at any time, e.g. B. by leasing to cushion load peaks.

Preferably, the optimized determination of the relative position and the transport orders of the vehicles comprises a path optimization and / or a runtime optimization.

This makes it possible to increase performance because less time is needed to process the (customer) orders. The vehicles are faster at their destination. The picks can be done earlier.

In an advantageous embodiment, the variable picking station also has an outer boundary, which is determined by the control device so that all containers required for processing the respective customer order can be buffered within the variable picking station.

This ensures that the order picker does not have to wait for source or target containers to carry out the actions (withdrawals and deliveries) at the current location of the picking station that the controller has planned in advance. The outer boundary clearly defines an area in which other vehicles are not allowed to enter. This facilitates a traffic planning. The planning of the positions of different picking stations relative to each other is simplified.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the storage area and the action area are different.

Here a clear and strict separation of the functions "warehouse" and "picking" takes place, which makes the traffic of the vehicles run smoother and easier to plan. In the storage area, there is no traffic jams because the vehicles are there only for the purpose of storage and retrieval of the source container.

In a further particular embodiment, one of the vehicles is set up to carry the picking person and to move it safely within the action area.

This aspect essentially relates to a manual rendezvous grain mission. The picking person can be safely moved through the action area on the vehicle under employment law. A collision avoidance is regulated by the vehicle itself, so that the picking person does not have to worry about it. This relaxes the picking person, especially in the case of a high traffic volume, which usually prevails in the action area.

Furthermore, this embodiment is ergonomic because the order picking person does not have to walk to the different positions of the variable picking station over time, but is driven. The picking person can be brought to the vehicle faster than walking to a desired location or a next schedule according to relative position of the picking station. Positioning errors are excluded. The picking person does not have to orient himself within the action area, so that the cognitive load is again reduced. The picking person may use the travel time to check and / or pack.

In a further particular embodiment, the picking robot is mounted on one of the vehicles.

This is about an automated picking, which brings an increase in performance, especially for easy-to-use goods, in terms of a number of picks per unit time.

In particular, the action area has a fixed position within the system and / or a fixed outer boundary.

This measure facilitates the planning of the relative positions of the variable picking stations and the transport orders of the vehicles. Outside the fixed range of action, people may be walking around or walking through the system without the risk of being hit by one of the vehicles.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a method for operating a storage and order-picking system according to a rendezvous picking principle in which goods to be picked are picked up from pick-up containers at source-picking stations according to order picking from source containers and delivered to destination containers, the system comprising: a plurality of vehicles for transporting the source containers and the destination containers within the system; a storage area and an action area; a locally variable order picking station, which has a variable relative position within the action area, which changes over time depending on the customer order; and a controller arranged for planning and executing rendezvous picking; the method comprising: analyzing a plurality of customer orders, in particular according to the criteria: source container locations, destination container locations and / or a batch potential of the customer orders; Selecting an (optimal) relative position for the variable picking station and determining transport orders for the vehicles, wherein the transport orders for the vehicles comprise a time and location synchronized rendezvous of a customer order specific number of source containers and a customer order specific number of destination containers at the selected one define the relative position of the variable picking station; and carrying out the transfer orders and the picking at the variable picking station.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

1 a plan view of an exemplary storage and picking system according to the invention;

2 a block diagram of a picking control;

3 an isolated representation of an action area of the 1 ;

4 a record in tabular form; and

5 a flow chart according to the invention for operating a storage and picking system according to the rendezvous picking principle.

In the following description, similar elements, components, parts, and features will be denoted by like reference numerals, and the disclosures contained herein may be applied to similar elements, components, parts, and features with like reference numerals. Location information, such. B. "top", "bottom", "side", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like, are related to the immediately described (s) figure (s) and in a position or position change mutatis mutandis to the new situation or To transfer position.

It should also be noted that directions and orientations are used, which are basically based on the terms commonly used in (intra) logistics. Thus, a longitudinal direction is designated by "X", a transverse direction by "Z", and a height direction by "Y". Exemplarily, the 1 a corresponding (eg Cartesian) coordinate system XYZ be removed.

Whenever the term "number of objects" is used below, this term is generally understood to include both a single object and a plurality of the objects.

Subsequently, goods to be picked (i.e., articles, goods, packages, etc.) are usually stored in a warehouse in the form of so-called (stock) inventory units ("SKUs"). The invention is set up to perform a batch picking. In batch picking, several customer or picking orders are processed simultaneously.

A "picking or sales order" is usually available as a data record. In the following, we generally speak of "assignments". Each order may have a header field, a priority field and / or an item field. The header field may include, among other things, information about the customers placing an order (eg, customer addresses), or customer identification numbers, and order / order numbers. The Priority field contains information about whether it is a normal order or a rush order. A rush order is an order with a high (processing) priority, which is usually treated as a priority over normal orders. An order also includes one or more order lines. Each order line specifies a number of an article or article type to be picked. The articles are usually provided as piece goods (piece picking) and / or containers (case picking).

In "batch picking", several orders are summarized in an article-oriented manner so that as few SKUs as possible have to be outsourced from the warehouse and then returned to the warehouse after a successful order picking. During a corresponding article-oriented analysis of the orders, one selects on a group of sales orders containing all orders (order lines) that relate to a same article type and then generates article-oriented transport commands for the SKU. The SKU, which corresponds to this type of article, is then outsourced and transported to the picking station or picking station. At the picking station, the order picker removes all articles of the respective article type, d. H. the removal takes place article-oriented, and they are in a specific order number specified in the or the correspondingly provided order container from. Each order container is assigned to one of the order picking, so that the delivery of the article is job-oriented. The order containers are held conventionally at the picking station until all article types of the picking order have been dispensed into the associated order container (s). So far, this could lead to an order container jam at the picking station.

1 schematically shows a plan view of a storage and picking system 10 according to the invention, hereinafter referred to as "system 10 "Will be designated. It is understood that in the 1 shown components of the system 10 not conclusive. Further, it is understood that the system 10 of the 1 may be constructed of other components, more components or fewer components than the components shown.

Generally, the system includes 10 a storage area 12 , an action area 14 and a variety of vehicles 16 , The system 10 is characterized by a very high dynamic, which is expressed in particular by the fact that the vehicles 16 Material flow technology source and at the same time material flow technology sinks transport or move so that the associated sources and sinks meet at the right time in the right place within the system, the togetherness is determined by customer orders, as will be explained in more detail below. The fact that the sources and sinks meet in the right place at the right time is the result of one or more intralogistic optimization processes, as will be explained in more detail below.

The areas 12 and 14 are in the 1 each surrounded by a dashed line. The areas 12 and 14 represent areas, z. B. in a building not shown here. In or on these areas generally known functions (warehouse, goods receipt, goods issue, picking, etc.) of an intralogistics system (eg a distribution center) are realized. The storage area (s) 12 essentially serve to stock goods to be picked, but they can also be used to store order and shipping containers. The action area (s) 14 ( 1 shows an example only a single action area 14 ) essentially serve a picking, ie a redistribution of the goods to be picked according to orders, and as a driving range for the vehicles 16 , The vehicles 16 essentially wrap a material or goods flow within the system 10 which can also be supported by ascending conveyors. The vehicles 16 In addition to the transport of goods, they can also be used to move a picking person 24 or a picking robot 26 can be used, as will be explained in more detail below.

In the 1 are exemplary three storage areas 12-1 to 12-3 shown, the examples separated from each other within the system 10 are positioned. It is understood that more or less storage areas 12 can be provided, which may also be related. Exemplary is a single action area 14 shown, preferably centrally with respect to the storage areas 12 within the system 10 is arranged. There may also be several action areas 14 be provided. The action area shown 14 exemplifies a contiguous area representing the storage area 12-3 exemplary encloses. It is understood that the action area 14 can also be defined from several separate areas. The storage area 12-1 is exemplary spaced to the action area 14 arranged. The storage area 12-2 is immediately adjacent the action area 14 at. The storage area 12-3 is within the action area 14 arranged or is from the action area 14 surround. Here are planners (eg layout creators) of systems 10 completely free, positions, dimensions and limits of picking areas, such. B. the storage areas 12-1 to 12-3 and the action area 14 , define. Areas can overlap one another. Furthermore, it is understood that the action area 14 the entire remaining area of the system 10 may not include other components, such. B. the storage areas 12 , is needed. The action area 14 essentially serves as a driving range for the vehicles 16 , the source containers 18 and target tanks 20 to and from one or more order picking stations 22 , The picking stations 22 are within the action area 14 positioned. In the 1 are exemplary two picking stations 22-1 and 22-2 shown for clarity in the 1 each also surrounded by a dashed line.

The picking stations or places 22 include places or positions, rooms and / or areas, where a manual picking by picking persons 24 (see picking station 22-1 ) or an automated picking by picking robots 26 (see picking station 22-2 ) he follows. If necessary, the picking stations include 22 other (physical) elements, such. As tables, packaging materials, tools and the like, which are required for performing the actual order picking (removal and delivery of goods) supportive. In the following, "picking" is understood as simplifying a process in which the goods to be picked are in accordance with one or more orders from source containers 18 are removed and then in associated target container 20 be delivered. Each (order-picking) order can be divided into several sub-orders, z. B. by each sub-order a separate target container 20 is assigned so that the goods of a single job separately in multiple destination containers 20 at least be collected.

The source containers 18 can be realized, for example, by article-stocked storage container. This means that a corresponding source container 18 contains only articles of a single article type. Alternatively and additionally, the source containers 18 Be "compartmentalised". This means that a corresponding source container 18 is divided into several compartments, which are preferably again fitted article-pure. Besides, it is possible to source containers 18 with articles of two or more article types without compartmentalization to use, so where a few, selected types of articles chaotically mixed for the purpose of filling degree optimization of the source container 18 be stored.

The target containers 20 can be realized for example by so-called order container. The target containers 20 the orders are assigned for processing. In the target containers, the goods are collected order-oriented.

It is understood that the term "container" as used herein is not intended to be limiting. The term "container" also includes other types of containers than containers, such. As pallets, trays, boxes, trolleys and the like. This applies to both the source containers 18 as well as for the target containers 20 ,

The vehicles 16 are autonomous within the system 10 traversable. The term "autonomous driving", which is sometimes referred to as automatic driving, automated driving or piloted driving, is generally understood to mean the movement of (power) vehicles, mobile robots and driverless transport systems, which behave largely autonomously. In the present invention, this is autonomous driving with the vehicles 16 Similar to airplanes in autopilot mode, ie steering, acceleration and braking maneuvers along a lane without human intervention. The vehicles 16 may be arranged to be within a, preferably firmly defined, area such. Within the action area 14 to search your route independently. The vehicles 16 are independent and independent. The vehicles 16 can to a certain extent make their own decisions regarding their route or their route. A navigation and guidance of the vehicles 16 for example, based on waypoints 86 (see. 3 ), which, preferably evenly distributed, are provided on a hall floor, as will be described in more detail below.

The vehicles 16 are preferably realized as driverless transport vehicles, as exemplified in the German patent applications DE 10 2014 111 385 (Weasel 3D matrix), DE 10 2014 111 396 (Loading / unloading Weasel), DE 10 2014 111 394 (Dynamic sequence shift), DE 10 2015 114 370 (offset axes), DE 10 2015 114 393 (Transfer places) and DE 10 2015 114 410 (Weasel Logimat) are described. The transport vehicles 16 are, among other things, set up to transport one or more of the following components: Source container 18 , Target container 20 , Picking persons 24 and / or picking robots 26 , The vehicles 16 are universally applicable with regard to objects to be transported. The vehicles 16 may differ in terms of their dimensions and performance (speed, transport capacity, driving time or driving capacity, etc.).

In the 1 are different directions of travel of the vehicles 16 exemplarily as dark arrows 28 clarified. The vehicles 16 Essentially, they provide the material or goods flow in the system 10 , If a goods receipt (WE) 50 and / or goods issue (WA) 52 are provided, do the vehicles 16 also the material flow from and to the goods receipt 50 or goods issue 52 ,

Both the material flow and a control of the vehicles 16 (eg navigation, route planning, traffic control, etc.) are controlled by a control device 30 or a subunit thereof, which will be discussed in more detail below. The control device 30 is in the 1 exemplarily implemented as a single central unit. It is understood that the control device 30 can also be organized decentrally. The control device 30 is implemented by one or more data processing systems (computers, servers, hosts, etc.). The control device 30 can be implemented as hardware and / or software.

The control device 30 is also set up, preferably wirelessly (see double arrow 32 in 1 ), with the various components of the system 10 especially with the vehicles 16 , to communicate.

The control device 30 may include processor units, computers, servers, programmable logic controllers (PLC), memory units, communication units, input / output units and / or display units. The processor units are used to execute instructions that can be loaded into memory or are already in memory. The processor units may each comprise a number of processors, multiprocessors, or other types of processors. The storage units are set up to store information such as. Data, programs in functional form or any other suitable information. The input / output units enable input and output of data to and from other devices that may be connected to the data processing system. The input / output units can, for. As a keyboard, a mouse or the like. Commands for an operating system, applications and / or programs may reside in the memory units associated with the processor units, e.g. B. via a communication network 80 (see in 2 ) keep in touch. The above-mentioned components of the data processing system are not exhaustive. The control device 30 can be implemented using any hardware or system capable of executing a program code or application.

2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary order-picking control 60 , The picking control 60 of the 2 is at least partially from the controller 30 of the 1 includes. The picking control 60 of the 2 is modular, preferably distributed, constructed. The picking control 60 may include: an order management 62 , (Picking) guiding strategies 64 (such as pick-by-voice 66 , Pick-by-light 68 , Pick-by-vision 70 or similar), a merchandise management system 72 which in turn is a warehouse management 74 (eg in the form of a warehouse management computer (not shown)), which in turn usually has a material flow 76 as well as a (storage or storage) place administration 78 regulates, a communications network 80 and / or an interface management 82 , The modules 62 to 82 are usually implemented in the form of hardware and / or software. The different modules 62 to 82 can over the communication network 80 (eg one or more communication buses) communicate with each other. For the material flow 76 a separate material flow computer (MFR, not shown) may be provided.

The order management 62 ensures, among other things, that incoming orders are collected and analyzed to the storage areas 12 to equip accordingly. It can factors such. As utilization, assortment, path optimization and the like play a role. The picking stations 22 Through the order management, complete orders, but also only partial orders, can be assigned for processing. Another task of order management 62 is it, the picking stations 22 within the action area 14 locally, temporally and geometrically dynamically manage. This means that the picking stations 22 Depending on the order situation, change their position and spatial dimensions to achieve multiple optimization, eg. B. in terms of a running time (shortest time) and a path (shortest path) to achieve, as will be explained in more detail below. Furthermore, the orders can be weighted differently in terms of their processing, such. As rush orders that need to be processed very quickly.

Runtime optimization can affect several aspects, such as: B. an order processing time or processing time. The order throughput time is derived from the part-times of the participating functional areas and workplaces. Here, a distinction can be made between physical and information technology processes. The lead time is the time between the receipt of an order and its completion.

A "path optimization" or a "trip optimization" is classically understood to be storage or retrieval strategies in which the shortest possible transport path from the (stationary) warehouse to the ( stationary) picking station is calculated, in particular if there are several possible sources (eg rack spaces) within the warehouse or several stationary picking stations, between which the goods of a job are to be transported back and forth. Usually, no variables dependent on articles or bearing units are taken into account. The problem of calculating the shortest path is also referred to as a "traveling salesman problem", see also "Branch and Bound", "Greedy Method", "Meander Heuristic" or "Largest Gap Heuristic" (Source: www .logipedia.de).

General objectives of optimization in the present invention are: to achieve the best possible result with a given effort; achieve a defined result with minimal effort; and / or to achieve the best possible result with the least effort. These are z. B. the vehicles 16 , the pickers 24 and the picking robots 26 evenly utilized without unproductive downtimes. Empty runs of the vehicles 16 should be avoided.

Another solution element of this optimization problem is that the positions and dimensions of the picking stations 22 (In particular, a space or an area within which or the vehicles 16 until processing, ie until the goods have been removed or handed over) within the action area 14 be permanently varied (can). In the classical approach, at least the removal and / or delivery positions are defined in terms of time and place. A classic picking station does not move, ie does not change its position within the overall system. In the present invention can and should be next to the containers 18 and 20 also the pickers 24 or picking robots 26 move, because the picking stations 22 "Move" by changing their positions over time. In other words, this means that not only the material flow technology sources (source container 18 ), but also the sinks (picking stations 22 ) "move" or locally / temporally change within the system, which represents an additional degree of freedom in general scheduling, which is not given in conventional approaches.

For example, one of the pickers 24 from a first order picking station 22-i to a second, different picking station 22-j move. In this case, the second order picking 22-j z. B. are still under construction while the picking person 24 moved there. At the same time could be the first order picking 22-i possibly dissolve again.

This dynamic of variable order picking stations 22 In particular, it has an effect on operational planning, ie on the scheduling of daily (transport) processes, such as B. the transport of the source and destination containers 18 and 20 , This degree of optimization freedom can also be attributed to a resource allocation (source container 18 - Target container 20 - order picker 24 respectively. 26 ) as well as a scheduling and sequence planning of the transport orders for the vehicles 16 impact (source container 18 meets destination tank 20 when and where, and vice versa?). Also a route planning for the vehicles 16 can be affected by it, as is a topology of the action area 14 constantly changes, because a picking place 22 in a first moment z. B. is disturbing for a vehicle route and in a second, later moment but no longer exists. Furthermore, the optimization can affect or be influenced by a batch planning, for. B. by a source container 18 picking stations 22 starts at the time of entry of this source container 20 in the action area 14 do not exist yet.

The mobility of the picking stations 22 within the action area 14 is the expression of the so-called "rendezvous picking". When rendezvous picking not only the sources move, but also the sinks. When rendezvous picking, it is the relative position of the picking station 22 to optimize order-specific, considering a variety of factors. Some of these factors have already been described above.

Additionally, the relative position of the action area 14 within the system and in terms of storage areas 12 as well as the dimensions of the action area 14 be changed at any time.

Returning to the vehicles 16 of the 1 Below is an exemplary flow of material between the areas 12 and 14 described in more detail. A vehicle 16-1 transports a source container 18 from the storage area 12-1 in the action area 14 , The storage area 12-1 includes, for example, four stationary fixed shelves 34 , each two of the shelves 34 a shelf aisle 38 between them, in which z. B. Single-level stacker cranes (eg Shuttle, as in the patent application DE 10 2015 101 948 described (depth limit)) 40 along the shelves 34 are movable to with their lifting equipment 42 Source and / or destination container 18 respectively. 20 in and / or outsource. On the front side, the shelves (material flow technology) can be attached to vertical conveyors 46 coupled be, in turn, in a Vorzonebereich 44 are arranged here z. B. to the storage area 12-1 immediately adjacent. The vertical conveyors 46 serve (exclusively) a vertical transport of containers 18 respectively. 20 , A corresponding shelf assembly, the shelves 34 and the vertical conveyors 46 is exemplary in the German utility model DE 20 2014 100 476 U1 (Lift arrangement in Vorzone) described. Alternatively and / or additionally, the storage area could 12-1 Also a variety of shelf-integrated vertical conveyors 46 (not shown), which would then be able to dispense with the Vorzonebereich by looking at the shelves 34 z. B. supplied via a vehicle level, under, over or through the shelves 34 runs.

The storage areas 12-1 to 12-3 preferably serve a storage of source containers 18 , The storage areas 12-1 to 12-3 In this sense, sources represent. It is understood that in the storage areas 12-1 to 12-3 (simultaneously) also target container 20 can be stored. In this case, the storage areas 12-1 to 12-3 also target container sources. Alternatively, the target containers 20 also in a separate depot (not shown) for, preferably empty, target containers 20 be stored centrally or decentrally. Once an empty target container 20 a picking order or partial order data-technically by order management 62 assigned, the corresponding target container 20 by means of one or more of the vehicles 16 , which is also assigned to this order, are picked up and assigned to a picking station 22 be spent with articles for filling. Accordingly, the order becomes source container 18 assigned, which in turn vehicles 16 be assigned to. Also, the order is one of the picking stations 22 assigned, with a position and dimension of this picking station 22 order specific (and dynamic) is determined in advance, especially in the light of the optimization processes described above.

The Indian 1 picking station shown 22-1 is manually by a picking person 24 operated. The 1 shows a snapshot, in which the picking station 22-1 relatively central within the action area 14 located. Inside the order picking station 22-1 are three more vehicles 16-2 to 16-4 shown there source container 18 for the purpose of an order-oriented removal of articles. The picking station 22-1 of the 1 also includes two more vehicles 16-5 and 16-2 containing the appropriate target containers 20 to the picking person 24 for the purpose of filling with the articles from the tendered source containers 18 tender.

The picking station 22-2 of the 1 is automated by a picking robot 26 operated. The picking robot 26 is within the picking place 22-2 a source container 18 by another vehicle 16-7 tendered. At the same time the picking robot 26 an associated target container 20 by means of another vehicle 16-8 tendered.

As already mentioned, the shows 1 just a snapshot. As soon as the picking person 24 or the picking robot 26 All actions (removal / delivery of items) that have been assigned to this picking station can be assigned to the picking person 24 and the picking robot 26 to another "new" picking station 22 move that at a different position within the action area 14 may be localized and possibly has a different spatial dimension, as will be described in more detail below. At the new picking station 22 It can also be the picking station 22-1 which is merely to a different location within the action area 14 "Wandered" is.

In the example of 1 is the picking person 24 who are at the picking station 22-1 is located, walking on foot. Alternatively, the pickers 24 generally with the vehicles 16 ride along, as is exemplary for the vehicle 16-13 is indicated. The vehicle 16-3 can meet the needs of the picking person 24 be adjusted. This means that the vehicle 16-3 z. B. may have a platform that can be provided with a railing or protective fence and possibly a table and / or the like. In this case, the picking person 24 move ergonomically because they go through the system 10 is driven, and in particular work can safely move, because collisions between the picking persons 24 and other vehicles 16 avoid the containers 18 and 20 transport.

Another advantage is the fact that the picking person 24 can be active on different sides. In the case of a rectangular platform of the vehicle 16 There are four possibilities, the source containers 18 and the destination tanks 20 to serve. It is understood that an assignment of the type "platform side - container type" can change dynamically, which provides a further degree of freedom in the planning and optimization of the processing of sales orders and in the generation of transport orders for the vehicles 16 represents. Preferably, such picking stations 22 further equipped with lamps, displays, speakers, headsets or the like to tell the order picking a place of removal and delivery of the goods and the number of goods to be transferred.

It is also z. B. possible that two different picking persons 24 simultaneously, z. B. from left and right or from above and below, on the same source container 18 access to different customer orders at different picking stations 22 to process, which in this case in this special source container 18 overlap.

It goes without saying that the above also applies to the picking robots 26 analog applies. Also the picking robots 26 can on the vehicles 16 be mounted, as is exemplary for the vehicle 16-12 is shown. The vehicles 16 can also be used to transport mobile shelves 36 be used in the 1 exemplary in the storage areas 12-2 and 12-3 are stored. In the 1 transport the vehicles 16-9 to 16-11 For example, each one of the mobile shelves 36 from and to the storage area 12-2 ,

In the 1 are the mobile shelves 36 in the storage area 12-2 (in plan view) arranged in an L-shape. The corresponding L-shaped shelf block has here as examples empty spaces 48 due to the removal of individual mobile shelves 36 for transport to the order picking stations 22 have arisen. Such a picking concept based on the use of mobile shelves 36 as sources, is exemplary in the WO 2007/011814 A2 (Kiva).

3 shows the action area 14 of the 1 in isolated form, illustrating a positioning of the action area 14 within the system 10 the (imaginary) coordinate axes X and Z additionally in the 3 are shown. The choice of the location of the origin 0 of these coordinate axes is arbitrary. The origin could be anywhere within the system 10 be localized.

The action area 14 of the 3 is exemplified by five vertices or positions P (X / Z), namely P1-P5 spanned. It could be spanned by more or less vertices. The system 10 of the 1 and 3 is preferably along a (in particular uniform) lattice structure 84 aligned, which is defined by grid points. These grid points are in the 3 (partially) highlighted. These grid points can also be used to create waypoints 86 for navigation and positioning of vehicles 16 define. The waypoints 86 can z. B. be implemented by bar code labels that you along the grid points of the grid structure 84 attaches to the hall floor and then from the vehicles and / or pickers 24 be tracked for orientation. The grid structure 84 is in the 3 further by (imaginary) auxiliary lines 88 indicated, which in turn may be spaced apart with a lattice constant a. It is understood that in the 3 shown grid structure 84 only exemplary nature is. The grid or waypoints 86 must z. B. not evenly over the surface of the system 10 be distributed. The spatial distribution of the (orientation) points 86 can be chosen arbitrarily. Alternative to the physical waypoints 86 could z. As a local GPS system or the like can be used.

The Indian 3 picking station shown 22-i is operated manually, as by a picker shown with a dashed line 24 is indicated. Preferably, a relative position P of the picking stations is generally 22 anchored in the place where the picking person 24 or the picking robot 26 during picking. The position P represents in this sense an anchor point of the picking station 22 in the 3 corresponds to the relative position of the picking station 22-1 the position P7. The position P7 has the X-coordinate "18" and the Z-coordinate "13", so that the position P7 can also be expressed as "P (18/13)".

The picking station 22-i of the 3 has an outer boundary 90 on that in the 3 indicated by a dashed line. The outer boundary 90 is spanned by the positions P8 to P11 and defines by way of example a rectangle. The outer boundary 90 encloses the area or the room around the relative position P7 of the picking station 22-i around, in or in which the vehicles 16 (not shown here) while a picking process is performed. Both the relative position P and the outer boundary 90 the picking stations 22 In general, customer orders change over time, as will be explained in more detail below.

Furthermore, in the 3 a vehicle 16-1 indicated at the position P12 and "P (4/12), respectively, to travel along a driveway or a travel route indicated by the arrow 28 is indicated in the picking place 22-i retract. The vehicle 16-1 can z. B. a customer order specific source container 16 (not shown) or target container 20 (not shown) transport.

It is understood that the size of the picking place 22-i (over time) can vary without the relative position (P7 in 3 ), which may change over time if necessary. Usually, the size (area or space) of the picking station 22-i so chosen that all vehicles 16 within the picking station 22-i or within its outer limit 90 can be buffered. This means that the size and / or Shape of the picking place 22-1 can change over time. The Indian 3 picking station shown 22-i is z. B. relatively large to many vehicles 16 buffer at the same time. The size can also be made very small by z. B. associated source container 18 target containers 20 from the same vehicle 16 be transported and by this vehicle 16 only with the picking person 24 or the picking robot 26 must meet at the predetermined meeting point (eg P7) at a predetermined time. It is understood that point P7 may change over time. This is z. B. then the case when a mobile picking robot 26 or on a vehicle 16 picking person 24 The article converts while both the picking robot 26 or the picking person 24 as well as the source container 18 and the destination vessel 20 at a substantially same speed and at a substantially constant distance relative to each other. This means that the conversion can also be done while driving (ie dynamically). The relative speeds and distances of the involved rendezvous partners should be approximately the same during the conversion. Deviations in speed and distance are acceptable as long as the transfer at the given location can be safely completed. The picking person 24 If possible, the article to be converted should not be transported over long distances (eg several meters) into the passing target container 20 have to throw.

4 shows an exemplary record 100 , The record 100 is z. B. defined in a tabular form and serves to illustrate a local, temporal and geometric change of a picking station 22 , The record 100 includes z. For example, six columns. The first column illustrates a timeline, which is shown as an example in a format "Tag.Stunde.Minute". The second column clarifies the above-mentioned relative position P of the corresponding picking station 22 ie a location or a position P within the action area 14 , The third column illustrates a geometric size or an external dimension of the picking station 22 , z. For example, by defining the vertices that go beyond the perimeter 90 (see. 3 ) are closed together. The fourth column illustrates one or more of the source containers 18 in the format "Container number, vehicle number, position", the one at the picking station 22 needed. The fifth column illustrates the required target containers 20 in the format "destination container number, vehicle number, position". The sixth column illustrates a sales order number or partial order number assigned to the previously mentioned columns.

It is understood that the record 100 may have more or fewer columns. Furthermore, it is understood that the data fields of the record 100 distributed in the system 100 can be stored. Data fields in a horizontal direction of the exemplary table of 4 belong together or are assigned or assigned to each other.

The record 100 describes z. B. two different relative positions P of the associated picking station 22 namely position P (18/13) and P (5/18). The position P (18/13) is taken during a time 5.3.16-5.3.25. The position P (5/18) is taken during a time 5.3.25-5.3.40. During the time 5.3.16-5.3.25 the picking station remains 22 at the relative position P (18/13), but takes different sizes. During the period 5.3.16-5.3.24 is the picking station 22 greater than during the time 5.3.24-5.3.25. The order with the number "18419" requires z. B. more source and / or target container 18 respectively. 20 as the consecutive order with the number "46157". The order with the number "18419" requires z. B. the source container 18 with the number "11", with the vehicle 16 with the number "19" to the position P (18/15) within the picking station 22 to transport. The corresponding target container 20 with the number "18" is by the vehicle 16 with the number "18" to the position P (18/11) in order to carry out the picking.

From time 5.3.25 the picking station changes 22 its relative position P, namely to the position P (5/18), although z. For example, the same order number "46157" as previously edited. This can have several reasons. One possible reason is z. B. can be seen in that further source container 18 which are needed to complete the order with the number "46157", although already in the action area 14 are present, but currently z. B. at another picking station 22 (not shown here) are needed. In this way, a return of this source container 18 be avoided.

It is understood that each of the currently used picking stations 22 preferably a separate record 100 Has. The records 100 Bring the customer specific assignments of source containers 18 , Target container 20 and the respective picking station 22 to expression.

The records 100 represent the result of the optimization processes described above. From the dataset 100 of the 4 it can be seen that it is z. B. is sufficient for the source container 18 and the destination tanks 20 to define only positions P within given time windows, without the Specify concrete infrastructure in detail. Because the vehicles 16 preferably drive autonomously, the detailed specification of the specific infrastructure is also not necessary. The specification of the target position to be controlled is sufficient in this case. The time definition of the destination as well as the selection of the relative position of the picking station 22 and the vehicles to be used 16 and containers 18 and 20 is, however, an expression of the optimization process, in particular the path optimization and / or the runtime optimization, as explained above.

5 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for operating a storage and picking system 10 in accordance with the rendezvous picking principle, in which goods or articles to be picked are taken from source containers at locally variable picking stations in accordance with customer orders and delivered to destination containers.

In a first step S10, the customer orders are analyzed. The analysis can be done according to one or more different criteria. One possible criterion is the source container location. The source containers 18 are data-technically linked to the article types they contain, which in turn are required by the sales orders. Furthermore, the source containers 18 data-technically linked to their current position, usually with their storage location within the storage area 12 matches. Usually, however, there are several source containers for each article type 18 who store this type of article, that is, several possible sources. And thus, for each type of article there are usually several source container locations, from where the vehicles 16 the corresponding source containers 18 pick up and picking 22 can bring. In this sense, the sales orders are thus analyzed according to the article types, resulting in the possible source container locations. The resulting source container locations have - as possible starting points - later influence on the path optimization, namely, if the location or the relative position P of the variable order picking 22 - as an endpoint - within the action area 14 is determined.

Another analysis criterion of step S10 can be seen in the batch potential of customer orders. As stated above, batch picking groups together different customer orders that typically require the same types of items. This reduces a number of deposits / removals in and out of the storage area 12 ,

Other possible criteria are z. As an access frequency (ABC distribution), a handling of the article (manual / automated Kommissionierbarkeit) and the like.

In a step S12, transfer orders for the vehicles 16 and the relative positions P for the picking stations 22 certainly. It is understood that steps S10 and S12 can be performed simultaneously. Steps S10 and S12 illustrate a planning phase of the method 200 in which additional optimization steps are carried out.

In step S12, specific vehicles may be used 16 be selected, which are the source containers 18 , the target containers 20 and possibly the order picking person 24 and / or the picking robot 26 to the variable picking station 22 to spend. In turn, preferably the factors "shortest path" and "shortest time" play a role. Further, in step S12, a picker, ie a picking person 24 or a picking robot 26 , are selected from a group of available pickers who are currently not commissioned. In addition, in step S12, the selection of a location or the relative position P of the picking station 22 respectively. Alternatively and additionally, the size of the picking station 22 be selected or determined.

In a step S14, the transport orders and picking operations (removal and delivery) determined in step S12 are subsequently carried out. Step S14 represents the implementation phase of the process 200 which then ends.

Although the actions (transport, removal, delivery, etc.) are within the action area 14 In the above description, in the above description, it has been shown substantially two-dimensionally in the area XZ, it is understood that the third dimension Y, that is, the height, may be additionally taken into consideration. The vehicles 16 can z. B. as autonomously flying drones (not shown) may be formed, the containers 18 and 20 at different heights at the variable picking stations 22 tender. Alternatively, stages can be used.

Hereinafter, other uses, methods and methods are generally considered, which are possible by the invention.

In goods receipt (see WE 50 in 1 ) can sort goods from larger units (eg goods receipt pallet with a large number of goods of the same type) into smaller storage containers (for example, source containers 18 ), which then turn very quickly over the entire system 10 can be distributed where they are needed. Cross-docking is possible because also target containers 20 already in the goods receipt 50 can be equipped with goods receipt articles by the appropriate picking station 22 temporarily in the goods receipt 50 so that orders with the highest priority can be handled with very low order throughput times. Orders can generally be received 50 be completed, which leads to low order processing times by z. B. individual picks are executed there specifically.

The same applies to the handling of returned goods. Returns can be made on the spot, ie, for example, at the goods receipt 50 , collected and immediately picked, because the picking stations 22 yes, as you know, they are dynamic. As soon as a commodity returns to any point in the system 10 "resellable" as "resellable" may, preferably with high priority, be an appropriate (or new) target container 20 be brought to this point for pickup.

Of course, the concepts described above in connection with picking can also be applied to consolidation, sequencing and compaction once the orders have been completed.

Another advantage relates to a "picking sequence". A scheduled source container 18 that just to his dynamic picking place 22 is on the way, can trigger a pick sequence. This means that not only the associated target container 20 which is to this scheduled source container 18 heard, but also more target containers 20 to this picking station 22 open, the need the same article, but whose order is actually not started. The other target containers 20 can then deal with the scheduled source container 18 at the picking station 22 meet (multi-order pick).

Yet another advantage is the fact that differently sized source and destination containers 18 . 20 can be brought to each other, because the order picking 22 are dimensioned accordingly. Pallets, lattice boxes, containers, cartons and so on can be customized anywhere in the system 10 (eg also in special zones and devices) for picking. The usual conveyor and storage technology division or arrangement (large, small, light, heavy, etc.) can be completely eliminated.

In addition, idle times can be reduced and utilization levels increased. Due to an individual provision of the source and target containers 18 . 20 anywhere 22 Due to the different distances there are also different arrival times. The order picker person 24 or the picking robot 26 can z. B. only then to the "temporary" picking station 22 be called if the corresponding order can be processed, ie the required containers 18 and 20 are in sufficient numbers on the spot.

In addition, in contrast to permanently installed conventional continuous conveyors, directly at the picking station 22 Influence on a sequence to be taken by the vehicles 16 align themselves accordingly, z. B. also between already waiting vehicles 16 classified.

In particular, by a location monitoring of the vehicles 16 always a current position of the container 18 and 20 as well as the persons 24 and the robot 26 known. An explicit tracking of the containers 18 and 20 (eg through appropriate readers) is within the system 10 not necessary, because the vehicle tracking is sufficient to know where exactly which article / order is located. A re-inspection of the containers 18 and 20 at the picking station 22 its unneccessary.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

system

12

storage area

14

Actions pane

16

vehicles

18

source container

20

target containers

22

picking

24

picking

26

picking robot

28

Driving direction of 16 (dark arrows)

30

control device

32

Communication, wireless

34

(stationary) shelf

36

(mobile) shelf

38

aisle

40

(Shelves) Shuttle / RBG

42

Load handling equipment from 40

44

Vorzonenbereich

46

vertical conveyor

48

vacancies

50

Goods receipt (WE)

52

Goods issue (WA)

60

order picking

62

order management

64

Guiding

66

Pick-by-Voice, PbV

68

Pick-by-Light, PbL

70

Pick-by-Vision

72

Inventory management system

74

warehouse management

76

material flow

78

(Storage) space management

80

Communication network

82

interfaces

84

lattice structure

86

waypoints

P

positions

88

guides

a

lattice constant

90

outer boundary of 22

100

record

200

method

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2007/011814 A2 [0005, 0071]
• DE 102013106640 A1 [0008]
• DE 102014111385 [0047]
• DE 102014111396 [0047]
• DE 102014111394 [0047]
• DE 102015114370 [0047]
• DE 102015114393 [0047]
• DE 102015114410 [0047]
• DE 102015101948 [0062]
• DE 202014100476 U1 [0062]

Claims (11)

Storage and picking system ( 10 ), according to a rendezvous picking principle, in the goods to be picked at locally variable order picking ( 22 ) according to customer orders from source containers ( 18 ) and into target containers ( 20 ) is operated, and has: a plurality of vehicles ( 16 ) for transporting the source containers ( 18 ) and the target container ( 20 ) within the system ( 10 ); a storage area ( 12 ), where a plurality of the source containers ( 18 ), preferably on shelves ( 34 . 36 ), are stored; an action area ( 14 ), in which the vehicles ( 16 ), preferably autonomously; a locally variable picking station ( 22 ) having a variable relative position (P) within the range of action ( 14 ), which changes over time depending on the customer order, and on which a rendezvous picking by a picking person ( 24 ) and / or a picking robot ( 26 ) is carried out; and a control device ( 30 ), which is set up for rendezvous picking, by determining the relative position (P) and associated transport orders for the vehicles ( 16 ) are determined optimally by the control device, wherein the transport orders for the vehicles ( 16 ) a chronologically and locally synchronized meeting of a customer order-specific number of source containers ( 18 ) and a customer order-specific number of target containers ( 20 ) at the variable picking station ( 22 ) define. Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the optimized determination of the relative position and the transport orders of the vehicles ( 16 ) by the control device ( 30 ) comprises a path optimization and / or a runtime optimization. Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the variable picking station ( 22 ) further comprises an outer boundary, the customer order specific by the control device ( 30 ) is determined so that all containers required for processing the respective customer order ( 18 . 20 ) within the variable picking station ( 22 ) are bufferable. Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage area ( 12 ) and the action line ( 14 ) are different. Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the vehicles ( 16 ), the picking person ( 24 ) and within the action line ( 14 ) to move. Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the picking robot ( 26 ) on one of the vehicles ( 16 ) is attached. Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the action area ( 14 ) a fixed position (P) within the system ( 10 ) and / or has a fixed outer boundary. Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the action area ( 14 ) a goods receipt ( 50 ). Storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control device ( 30 ) is also set up, returned goods at the picking station ( 22 ) and schedule it immediately in a new picking order for picking, preferably by 20 ), which contains the goods received, to the picking station ( 22 ) is moved. Procedure ( 200 ) for operating a storage and picking system ( 10 ) according to a rendezvous picking principle, in which goods to be picked at locally variable picking stations ( 22 ) according to customer orders from source containers ( 18 ) and into target containers ( 20 ) and the system ( 10 ): a plurality of vehicles ( 16 ) for transporting the source containers ( 18 ) and the target container ( 20 ) and preferably pickers ( 24 ) or picking robots ( 26 ) within the system ( 10 ); a storage area ( 12 ) and an action area ( 14 ); a local variable picking station ( 22 ) having a variable relative position (P) within the range of action ( 14 ), which changes over time as a function of the customer order; and a control device ( 30 ), which is set up for the planning and execution of rendezvous picking; the method comprising: analyzing (S10) a plurality of customer orders, in particular for: source container locations, destination container locations, and / or a batch potential; Selecting an optimal relative position (P) for the variable picking station ( 22 ) and determining (S12) transport requests for the vehicles ( 16 ), whereby the transport orders for the vehicles ( 16 ) a chronologically and locally synchronized meeting of a customer order-specific number of source containers ( 18 ) and a customer order-specific number of target containers ( 20 ) at the selected relative position of the variable picking station ( 22 define); and performing (S14) the transfer orders and picking at the variable order picking station ( 22 ). Method according to claim 10, wherein the picking takes place dynamically, in that the source containers ( 18 ), the target containers ( 20 ) and the picking person ( 24 ) or the picking robot ( 26 ) during take-off and delivery of goods through the action line ( 14 ) move.

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